After 4 Years of Tinnitus, Right Ear Is Going Bonkers (Muffled / Blocked Hearing, Worse Tinnitus)

[Kain]

Well after 4 years of tinnitus, I've finally experienced a dramatic change. My right ear is suddenly worse. Hearing feels muffled and blocked, and on top of that, tinnitus is a lot worse too. It's reacting a lot different to sounds and I'm so close to having a breakdown.

I find it weird because when I lay my head flat on my left ear, the right ear seems fine, but moving my head off, the tinnitus gets worse.

What should I do friends? I'm at most desperate

 

[Joe Cuber]

I wonder if your Eustachian tube is getting clogged up. I don't have Eustachian tube blockage, but I have a similar situation. My right ear gets a lot of tinnitus, and if I lay flat on my right ear, after about 20 minutes, the tinnitus dies down. In my case, I think my right jaw and skull bones have something to do with it. I have had sudden onset tinnitus, and my chiropractor found that I have significant a torsion/twist in my spine that's putting tension on my right facial muscles.

 

[Kain]

I wonder if your Eustachian tube is getting clogged up. I don't have Eustachian tube blockage, but I have a similar situation. My right ear gets a lot of tinnitus, and if I lay flat on my right ear, after about 20 minutes, the tinnitus dies down. In my case, I think my right jaw and skull bones have something to do with it.

Hey Joe! I like to think it does involve my Eustachian tube. I was feeling fine this morning and did notice that my nose was a bit runny prior to feeling like this, and even now my right nostril is plugged up. I also do have jaw problems too like TMJ that I haven't gotten checked out but feel like I should at some point.

 

[Joe Cuber]

Hey Kain! I hope you get both checked out, you might be surprised at what you find. I went to the dentist, and she said my right side jaw muscles are twice the size as my left. And a chiropractor told me my spine is twisted and causes tension in my neck and right facial muscles.

I don't suppose you scheduled an appointment to see an ENT about your Eustachian tube have you?

 

[Matchbox]

Hey Joe! I like to think it does involve my Eustachian tube. I was feeling fine this morning and did notice that my nose was a bit runny prior to feeling like this, and even now my right nostril is plugged up. I also do have jaw problems too like TMJ that I haven't gotten checked out but feel like I should at some point.

How many hours has it been?

Think you're getting a cold and maybe it got to your ear?

If this has been more than a day it's time for a hearing test and the ER.

 

[Kain]

I don't suppose you scheduled an appointment to see an ENT about your Eustachian tube have you?

I haven't yet, I don't think I'll find a doctor that'll see me ASAP a lot seem booked.

 

[Kain]

How many hours has it been?

Think you're getting a cold and maybe it got to your ear?

If this has been more than a day it's time for a hearing test and the ER.

It's been about 12 hours, it's subsided quite a bit but the ringing in my right ear has become more of a lower, louder tone.

 

[DebInAustralia]

It's been about 12 hours, it's subsided quite a bit but the ringing in my right ear has become more of a lower, louder tone.

If you think you have a virus, try some Lysine...

 

[Forever hopeful]

I vote for an immediate visit to an ENT or other provider as soon as possible. If you are in fact experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss, you want to get started on Prednisone right away. If you can't get into see a provider, then go to the ER.

 

[Joe Cuber]

I vote for an immediate visit to an ENT or other provider as soon as possible. If you are in fact experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss, you want to get started on Prednisone right away. If you can't get into see a provider, then go to the ER.

When I first had my tinnitus onset, I asked for an ENT appointment, and they scheduled me far out, like over a month. I then complained to them (in person) that I have sudden onset tinnitus, and they booked me a much sooner appointment, like they fit me into the schedule somehow.

 

[Forever hopeful]

When I first had my tinnitus onset, I asked for an ENT appointment, and they scheduled me far out, like over a month. I then complained to them (in person) that I have sudden onset tinnitus, and they booked me a much sooner appointment, like they fit me into the schedule somehow.

In my ENT's office any change in or sudden appearance of tinnitus is an immediate appointment for a hearing test.

 

[Joe Cuber]

In my ENT's office any change in or sudden appearance of tinnitus is an immediate appointment for a hearing test.

That's the way it should be everywhere. That should reserve spots for urgent triage. It's unfortunate when someone is unable to get an earlier appointment even when they explain their condition.

 

[Kain]

Decided to bring this thread back because I'm experiencing the same thing again.

The first time, the symptoms settled within about two-ish days, thankfully. I never saw an ENT because I didn't think it was necessary, and an appointment would have taken weeks anyway.

This time, it's pretty much the same story, it came out of nowhere. I haven't exposed myself to loud noises recently, though I did attend my mother's wedding on October 4. My ears have felt a bit off since then, but nothing like this until now.

I didn't want to take any chances, so I went to urgent care. The doctor said my right eardrum and ear canal were red and inflamed. The diagnosis was Otitis Media and Externa of the right ear. I was prescribed two medications: Augmentin and Maxitrol. I won't take the Maxitrol because the only post I found about it on this site wasn't positive. I've messaged my primary care doctor, hoping he can prescribe Prednisone instead.

I can't believe this is happening again. My biggest fear was going through something like this a second time, and here it is, greeting me like an old friend I never wanted to see again. It's exactly like before, any sound makes my right ear react intensely and feel full. I'm really hoping it's just inflammation and not another hit to my hearing.

 

[NormySan]

@Kain, I hope you get better soon, it really sucks when getting a setback

 

[Kain]

@Kain, I hope you get better soon, it really sucks when getting a setback

It truly does suck. Hope you've been doing well with your spike!

 

[Kain]

Just wanted to share an update on my situation. I think the infection has run its course, but there still seems to be some irritation or discomfort in my right ear. The first two days were the toughest, and I ended up using the Maxitrol ear drops after reading that they should not cause problems unless the eardrum is perforated, which mine was not.

I got through the first week with relatively few issues, but for some reason, this past week has been more difficult. My right ear feels more sensitive overall, sometimes dull, tired, tight, and reactive. Sadly, I think I may be starting to develop phonophobia because of it. The tinnitus has been a bit more bothersome, but that is not my main concern. What really worries me is how my ear feels. Anxiety has been hard to manage. I know I should be fine with most sounds at home, yet I cannot help feeling on edge. As I am writing this, I am at school, and it took courage to take out my earplugs in the library, yes, the library of all places, which prompted me to share this update.

So, what now? I have an appointment with an audiologist on Wednesday. I really do not want to take any tests; I just want them to confirm that there is no infection. I might mention the anxiety I have been feeling, although I do not think medication is necessary. I also want to take the next steps in treating my TMD, which has been an issue for quite some time. I know that managing it might help calm my right ear a bit.

Overall, I have been feeling sad and somewhat trapped. I am trying to stay mindful and not let the anxiety take over, reminding myself that I am still in a relatively good situation compared to many others. I think most of my fear comes from knowing how much worse things could get, and feeling that I might not be strong enough to handle it. I do not know, I just feel like disappearing for a while, living in a quiet town or somewhere peaceful, and escaping from this busy life, even just for a moment.

 

[R3vtune]

Well, @Kain, we're in a similar situation. I had a steroid shot on the 29th, and today is the 3rd. My ear still feels blocked after the injection, and it's been five days. I'm not even sure if that's normal. Google says the ear may feel full and muffled for a few days, but it seems to have gone beyond that now. I have an audiology appointment in three days, on the same day as my ENT visit.

 

[Kain]

@R3vtune, I'm sorry that you're going through a rough patch too. I hope our visits reveal something helpful. Have you been coping alright?

 

[R3vtune]

@R3vtune, I'm sorry that you're going through a rough patch too. I hope our visits reveal something helpful. Have you been coping alright?

Well, I went today, and unfortunately, nothing changed in the audiology results. Another doctor gave me another steroid shot because he believes my hearing might improve since I mentioned that I can hear my own voice better. But the delay is so long, and it really sucks to live with severe hearing loss.